BrahMos-NG Missile to Adapt as an A2A AWACS and Tanker Killer, Crippling Enemy Logistics and Surveillance from the Safe Distance

The BrahMos-NG, the lighter and more advanced successor to the formidable BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, is being developed with the potential for a groundbreaking air-to-air role, aimed at neutralising critical enemy assets from the sky.

According to Sudhir Mishra, the former head of BrahMos Aerospace, this next-generation weapon is being envisioned to target and destroy high-value aerial platforms such as Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), mid-air refuelling tankers, and large transport aircraft.

The BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) is a joint venture between India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. It is primarily being designed as a potent air-to-surface and air-to-sea missile.

Weighing approximately 1.3 tonnes—less than half the weight of its predecessor—the NG variant is compact enough to be integrated into a wider range of the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet, including the Su-30MKI, Tejas, and MiG-29 fighters.

While not intended for dogfights with agile enemy fighters, the missile’s adaptation for an air-to-air mission would fill a crucial strategic gap.

Large, relatively slow-moving aircraft like AWACS are the "eyes in the sky" for an adversary, providing vital battlefield surveillance and command and control. Similarly, tanker aircraft are essential for extending the range and endurance of fighter jets, while transport planes form the backbone of military logistics.

By targeting these enablers, the BrahMos-NG could effectively disrupt an enemy's entire air campaign and logistical supply chain.

The strategic importance of this capability cannot be overstated. In modern warfare, neutralising an AWACS can blind an opponent's air force, making their fighter jets vulnerable.

Destroying aerial refuellers can prevent enemy aircraft from reaching their targets or force them to withdraw prematurely. This potential application of the BrahMos-NG would provide the IAF with an unparalleled standoff capability to dismantle an enemy's operational capacity from a safe distance.

Powered by a ramjet engine, the BrahMos-NG is projected to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 2.8 (over 3,400 kmph) with a range of approximately 290 kilometres.

Its high speed makes interception extremely difficult for current air defence systems.

The missile's reduced size allows a single fighter jet, such as the Su-30MKI, to potentially carry multiple missiles, significantly increasing its firepower and mission flexibility compared to carrying a single original BrahMos missile.

This development highlights a forward-thinking approach by BrahMos Aerospace to create a versatile, multi-role weapon system.

As the BrahMos-NG continues its development, with flight testing anticipated to be nearing, its potential evolution into a specialised hunter of high-value aerial targets promises to add a significant new dimension to India's military capabilities and bolster its strategic defence posture in the region.

 

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[Mc Addy]

Yes, it can do it anytime.

 

[Mc Addy]

We should make it like the PL 15 with chain of guidence trasfer , meaning one aircraft or ground or naval platforms fired it one direction, the a long range radar or AWCS takes over and guides it to the target , till it's own seeker takes over , this must have 3 types of seekers for killing high value Ariel targets , radar , electooptical and Infra red and must be able to fuse data from all three so no escape is possible and yes the warhead must have huge radius as aircrafts are thin skinned with fuel in wings ect so even one hot tungsten pellet is good enough . Jammer may also be added so the AWCS or tanker loses command from flight controller to evade , goes blind . Total kill then.

 

[sanket]

Wow, but range looks limited with the ER version. A BrahMos A2A version with 450 to 600 km would be more ideal than 290 km range, as slow-moving targets like AWACS, refuelling tankers, and transport aircraft are far from borders, deep inside nearly beyond 400 km from fighter jets that are operating for support.

 

[Abs29]

The idea has already been floated, considered, and scrapped. The project has already been deemed unfeasible and as such, dumped. No point in beating a dead horse.

 

[Truth-Speaker]

290 km range is not suitable. AWACS sit at longer distances. AWACS radar detects 400-500 km. Any AWACS killer must have a range of 400 km. If this missile's range remains under 300 km, then it's better to get the R-37M from Russia. A way better one with 400 km range and Mach 6+ speed. It can also carry a nuclear tip to destroy big bombers. India isn't using the full potential of its Su-30 fleet. Without longer-range missiles like the R-37M, Su-30s are not capable enough to assert their air superiority. IAF must rethink its strategy.

 

[vasu gali]

India could consider the Kh-69 subsonic missile with ToT - highly economical and stealthy - or develop something similar for cost-effectiveness during a prolonged war.

 

[Anant]

290 km range is not suitable. AWACS sit at longer distances. AWACS radar detects 400-500 km. Any AWACS killer must have a range of 400 km. If this missile's range remains under 300 km, then it's better to get the R-37M from Russia. A way better one with 400 km range and Mach 6+ speed. It can also carry a nuclear tip to destroy big bombers. India isn't using the full potential of its Su-30 fleet. Without longer-range missiles like the R-37M, Su-30s are not capable enough to assert their air superiority. IAF must rethink its strategy.

No, we do not need the R-37M. Two reasons for that. Firstly, we should most likely get the Astra Mk 3 entering service in 4-5 years. Secondly, the offer from Russia will almost certainly be of the RVV-BD variant, which is the downgraded export variant. Given that the RVV-BD has a range of around 200 km at a speed of between Mach 4 and Mach 6, it wouldn't be that much better than the Astra Mk 2 so as to warrant induction.

 

[Anant]

India could consider the Kh-69 subsonic missile with ToT - highly economical and stealthy - or develop something similar for cost-effectiveness during a prolonged war.

Not necessarily needed. Firstly, as far as most observers are concerned, the Kh-69 is still in final developmental trials and user trials, with very limited deployment. Secondly, the utility of subsonic missiles themselves is being re-evaluated, even with their low cost. Finally, the indigenous NASM-MR is in the works, and once development is concluded, a version of it could be developed with an outer skin with reduced radar cross-section, along with some way of improving the range slightly so as to allow most fighters (except maybe LCAs like the Tejas Mk 1/1A and the Mirage 2000) to use it.

 

[Kira]

The idea has already been floated, considered, and scrapped. The project has already been deemed unfeasible and as such, dumped. No point in beating a dead horse.

True, I believe it's due to the fact that the BrahMos is much bulkier and much less agile than conventional A2A missiles, which are sleeker and lighter to engage fast-moving aircraft, as compared to cruise missiles, which are used to take out stationary targets or slow-moving ships.

In addition, the cost of the BrahMos may be higher than a similar long-range BVR missile, plus its accuracy is much lower.

Even though BrahMos speeds seem high at first, Mach 2.8 is on the lower end for typical A2A missiles.

So, this is why nobody has adopted cruise missiles for air-to-air roles, unless you are talking about nuclear-armed cruise/ballistic missiles to take out groups of big bombers. Although that is a conversation for another day.

 

[Akshat]

No, we do not need the R-37M. Two reasons for that. Firstly, we should most likely get the Astra Mk 3 entering service in 4-5 years. Secondly, the offer from Russia will almost certainly be of the RVV-BD variant, which is the downgraded export variant. Given that the RVV-BD has a range of around 200 km at a speed of between Mach 4 and Mach 6, it wouldn't be that much better than the Astra Mk 2 so as to warrant induction.

2. I think it's not that sub sonic cruise missiles are the problem. By all accounts, Scalp did perform pretty well during Operation Sindoor. Even from Pakistan we are not hearing any claims that they took down any of those missiles. And this was when Pak's AD networks were fully active and operational. And later on reports indicate that they might have damaged/destroyed some SAM systems as well. So sub sonic missiles can work, but they have to be stealthy. Tomahawks or Nirbhay kind of missiles won't work.

3. I think a better option might be CATS Hunter. It will have a payload of some 250 kg, and a range of ~400 km. And it will weigh just about 600 kg. So that will allow even Tejas to carry up to 4 of those. That can prove to be quite a deadly force, in fact. Especially considering that these missiles can probably operate in swarm modes as well.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s certainly a possibility that it can be converted as a A2A missile and not just for high value targets.

If the Brahmos NG will have more indigenous technology and content of 90% or more then it can reduce its production cost. This will make it more affordable and it can be used as a BVR missile that’s faster than most of the other missiles.